Bird meets Jordan

Monday

May 14, 2007 at 3:41 PMAug 21, 2013 at 10:14 AM

By PETER DAY

It was only fitting that Jordan and Bird would stand side-by-side. But instead of looking up at Larry Bird the 6'9" former Boston Celtic, the real-life, 6'6" basketball legend Michael Jordan was looking down at Wesley Bird, a 9-year-old Carmel Elementary school third-grader.

The son of Larry Bird, an administrator at the Hesperia Unified School District not the basketball player, Wesley was patiently waiting for Jordan to sign his sports cap.

The father and son were guests of Mesquite Trails Elementary principal Dave Stewart, who had a suite of seats next to Jordan at the recent AMA Pro Racing Superbike Challenge at the California Speedway in Fontana on April 27-29. An avid sportsman, Jordan sponsors a motorbike racing team.

"Michael Jordan was really into it," said Larry Bird, the father, about the star's enthusiasm for the race.

To get the autograph, the junior Bird utilized the smarts and full-court vision that the basketball player used on the court and his father demonstrated as an observant principal on the Ranchero Middle School campus. Noticing that Jordan had walked to the restroom, Bird got into position just outside and faked a move inside.

"He came out as Wesley was going in," his dad said.

After getting Jordan's autograph on his hat, the wily Wesley realized he wanted the star to sign the Jordan jersey he brought just for that purpose. But the six-time NBA champion put on a surprise, elusive move: Instead of walking down the stairs, he went down the elevator.

Palming his treasured jersey, Bird got into position, this time just outside the elevator door. When the door opened, Jordan knew Bird had outsmarted him again.